Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving has shown some improvement with his hyperextended right knee.

However, he's not yet 100 percent, which is why he was held out of the lineup on Friday against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Irving has missed three consecutive games. He had an MRI on Monday in Chicago, a day after his last appearance in Miami. There's a chance he could play Monday vs. the New York Knicks.

As per team policy, the Cavs don't make injured players available to the media.

Advertisement

The 6-foot-3, 191-pounder did some light shooting at the team's shootaround on Friday.

When asked if Irving wanted to play against Clippers All-Star Chris Paul, Cavs coach Byron Scott said, "He just wants to play, period."

It wasn't just pain tolerance keeping him on the sidelines. Scott said Irving could do additional damage to the knee if he tweaked it trying to play.

Waiters honored

Cavs shooting guard Dion Waiters was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for February.

Waiters played in 12 games during February and averaged 15.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.1 steals. He shot 51.4 percent from the field.

He ranked first in scoring and assists, second in steals and field-goal percentage and third in minutes among East rookies. Waiters scored 20 or more points in four of the 12 games and shot at least 50 percent from the field seven times.

Waiters helped lead the Cavs to a 7-5 record in February.

No buyout

The Cavs discussed a buyout with forward Omri Casspi, but was unable to reach an agreement. He would have had to be waived by midnight Friday to be eligible for another team's playoff roster.

Casspi will make $2.3 million this season and has fallen completely out of Scott's rotation. He's recovering from an appendectomy.

He's expected to be a free agent after this season.

Similarities to CP3

Scott said the biggest difference between Paul and Irving is the former's experience. This is Paul's eighth season in the NBA, Irving's second.

"CP has been in the league a long time," Scott said. "He's the best leader in the league. They both have a killer instinct. They both want the ball in their hands. I used to call CP the 'quiet assassin.' He's quiet off court, but on the court, he'll rip your heart out."

Irving is making strides as being a leader, despite being the Cavs' youngest player at 20.

"He's still learning how to be a leader," Scott said.

The Clippers played on the second night of a back-to-back set on the road. They won at Indiana on Thursday.

"(Paul) won't allow them to let up," Scott said. "Back-to-back or not, they are coming in here for a win. They will be focused tonight. The offense goes as he goes. He's the conductor."

Paul is leading the league in steals (2.5) and is second in assists (9.4). He's also averaging 16.3 points and 3.5 rebounds.

"He's the best floor leader in this game," Scott said.

Quick shots

-- In the first meeting between the two teams on Nov. 5, Paul kiddingly told Scott to get Alonzo Gee off him defensively. "Throw Kyrie to the fire like you threw me to the fire," Scott said.

-- The Cavs recalled forward Kevin Jones from the Canton Charge on Friday. He had 24 points and nine rebounds vs. Idaho on Thursday.